The Guardian presents a curated selection of David Hockney's greatest works, spanning from his early homoerotic paintings of the 1960s to his monumental iPad epic of Normandy. The article features iconic pieces such as "A Bigger Splash" (1967), "Portrait of an Artist (Pool With Two Figures)" (1972), and "Mr and Mrs Clark and Percy" (1970-71), each accompanied by insights into Hockney's creative process, personal relationships, and cultural context. The works trace his evolution from capturing the sun-drenched pools of Los Angeles to the vast, psychedelic landscapes of Yorkshire.
This article matters because it offers a comprehensive visual retrospective of one of the most influential living British artists, highlighting how Hockney's work has continually pushed boundaries in both subject matter and technique—from traditional oil painting to digital iPad art. The selection underscores Hockney's role in advancing queer representation in art, his mastery of light and color, and his enduring impact on the art market, with record-breaking auction prices like the $90.3 million sale of "Portrait of an Artist (Pool With Two Figures)." It serves as both a celebration of his career and an accessible entry point for understanding his legacy.